Lorna D. Tarrants

On August 17, 2024, Lorna Tarrants, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed peacefully from this life at the age of 91. Born in Washington D.C. to Maurice and Evelyn Nokes on February 25, 1933, Lorna grew up in Mt. Ranier, Maryland. Throughout her life, Lorna was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She lived a full life of generous service to others including family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and her church community.

From a young age, Lorna was an avid reader, often taking the bus to the library to keep herself well-stocked with her beloved books. She and her husband, Leland Murphy, raised their three children in Bowie, Maryland. Lorna worked for ten years in a variety of secretarial and administrative positions with government agencies, as well as twelve years as an office manager and executive assistant in Enron’s Government Relations office in Washington, D.C.

A woman of great faith, Lorna was an active member of her church communities through the years, including Church of the Redeemer of Bowie, All Saints Lutheran Church of Bowie, and Community United Methodist Church of Crofton. She was always generous in sharing her time and talents as a frequent volunteer, teaching Sunday School, chairing church social committees, singing in the church choir, and participating in Bible Studies and adult Christian education programs regularly.

Her hobbies included sewing, crafting, and quilting. Through the years, she used her considerable talents to make many beautiful clothes, housewares, and quilts for her home and family, as well as gifts for friends and loved ones, and contributions to fundraisers for her church. Lorna savored time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchild, and she was a tremendous support to her adult children as they raised their families. Lorna was well known for her cheerful disposition and ever-present smile, which made her a well-loved favorite at the Assisted Living Memory Care Communities that she called home in her final years.

Lorna is survived by her two daughters: Janelle (Raymond) McCrea of Crofton, Maryland and Christine (Vincent) Walls of Severna Park, Maryland. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Matthew Walls, Alicia Walls, Annie Walls, Nicholas McCrea, and Daniel McCrea; and one great-grandson: Tyler Trimmer. She was predeceased by her son, David (Mary) Murphy and husbands Leland Murphy, Quentin Lundberg, and William Tarrants. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lorna’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org

The family will receive visitors at Beall Funeral Home in Bowie, MD on Saturday, August 31 beginning at 10:30 am, to be followed by a funeral service at 11:30 am. Interment will be held privately at a later date.